Loose-leaf binder.



H. U. GROZIER.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.25, 1912.

1,072,91 9, Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1 7? Z/JZ Z07 Marry (froz @ier' COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON, n. C

H. C. CROZIER.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED 00125, 1912.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i 72 wee/a ar jiazz z rG'zzza'ef' COLUMBIA PLANOG H. G. GROZIER.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED 001 .25, 1912.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

HARRY C. CROZIER, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

Application filed October 25, 1912. Serial No. 727,812.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY C. Cnozmn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenix, in the county of Maricopa and State of Arizona, have invented new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has reference to loose-leaf binders, and it comprehends, briefly, certain hereinafter described improved devices for holding the leaves or pages in separate groups'within the. book, and devices detachably associated with the aforesaid holders for supporting and maintaining the same in position, and for causing the covers and thegroups of leaves to assume approximately flat positions when the book is opened. 1

The invention further resides in the provision of improved expanding or contracting devices toincrease or decrease the holding capacity of the book.

An'embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, where- ,1

of: I

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved binder in open position, with'parts in sec.

tion and broken away; Figs. 2' and 3 are enlarged fragmental transverse sections taken, respectively, on the lines 22 and 3-3 of Fig. 1, and showing the binder sub stantially closed; Fig. l is an enlarged section taken longitudinally of one of the covers on the line 4t 4: of Fig 1; Figs. 5 to 8 are juxtapositional perspective views of the component parts of'one of the holders and a leaf about to be inserted thereinto; Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse. section showing the manner in which the holder is connected to the aforementioned supporting device; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but showing a slightly modified form of holder; Figs. 11 and 12 are, respectively, a plan view and an enlarged fragment-a1 transverse section of a modified form of binder.

Referring to said drawings, and more especially to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, wherein the preferred form of the invention is depicted, A, A indicate, generally, the two covers, and B the back of the binder, the parts A, A being, in the main, of conventional type. The two covers and the back are hingedly connected together, to permit the requisite movements of the first-mentioned parts, such connections being of either indirect or direct character according as expanding or contracting mechanism is provided or omitted. In the latter construction, depicted in Figs. 11 and 12, the covers A, A have their inner edges hinged directly to the adjacent edges of the back B, as indicated by the numeral 9. The preferred construe-tion, illustrated in the first-mentioned figures, includes the expanding or contracting mechanism above referred to, and this mechanism, which is indicated in general manner by the character D, may advantageously consist of the 1 following instrumentalities: a vertical rod 5, arranged longitudinally and centrally of the back B, and journaled in suit-able bearings 6 provided upon said back; a pair of transversely-curved or bowed metal plates 7, disposed against-the inner face of back B; and a series of devices 8 actuated by said rod, upon rotation thereof, to force the said plates toward or. from each other. These plates have a hinge connection 9 at their outer edges with the adjacent covers, and their inner edges are disposed in spaced parallel relation, their upper and lower ends being slidably fitted in guides 10 produced by bending inwardly the ends of the back. The plate-shifting devices 8 are here shown as comprising, each, upper and lower pairs of toggle arms 11 and 12 whose mutuallyadjaeent outer ends are pivotally connected together by means of studs 13 fixed to said plates-and whose inner ends are pivoted to collars 1 1 and 15 slidable upon the reverselythreaded portions 16 and 17 of the rod. To effect the rotation of said rod, one of its ends is squared, as indicated by the numeral 18, for engagement by the shank of a suitable key 19 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the rotary movement imparted to the rod in the obvious manner by means of this key serving to move the collars toward or from each other and thus expand or contract the toggles, with the result that the requisite movements of the plates and covers are ob tained. In both forms of the invention, the covers are directly connected by means of suitable devices 20 which are detachably associated therewith and with the hereinafterdescribed holders, and serve to hold the covers and the groups of leaves carried by the holders in approximately flat positions when the book is opened. These devices are preferably in the form of spring metal strips which extend transversely across the back'B and have their ends removably inserted in i metal sheaths or cases 21 fastened or embedded in place between the plies or laminae of the covers, as represented in Figs. 1, 2, 4t and 12; they may have any tension or bearing force that may beconsidered advisable. In explanation of the foregoing, it may be stated that when the book is open, the springs occupy the position represented in Fig. 12, which may be regarded as their normal position, and consequently, the tension-or bearing force exerted by their ends upon the covers and the groups of leaves tends to hold the same in such position. The leaves or pages of the book are arranged in individual groups each of-which is carried by a holder; these holders embodying the most important features of the invention. They are supported and maintained in position by means of the above-described spring strips 20. In their preferred form, the holders E embody, each, the several parts or elements depicted in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 and comprising a body member 22, adapted to receive the inner edges of a group of leaves 23, an attaching member 2-1- hinged to the body member and adapted for direct connection to the strips 20, and a rod-like locking member 25 directly associated with the attaching member 2 The receiving or body member 22 has, by preference, the form of a narrow, elongated trough-lik case, which is closed at its ends and open along its f out: at its back, it is provided with a series of knuckles 26 that are spaced from each other to receive therebetween the complemental knuckles 27 provided upon the adjacent longitudinal edge of the attaching member 2%,

' which latter has a U-shaped .or troughshaped formation and is open at its ends to receive the sliding locking member 25. The sets of knuckles 26 and 27 receive the pintle 28 of the hinge joint, whereby the body member may be swung or turned upon said pintle in the ordinary manner, to permit the group of leaves carried by the holderto assume a flat position, as depicted in Fig. 9. The strips 20 pass through registering slots 28 and 29, in the attaching and locking members 24 and 25, respectively, the latter slots having an L-shaped fo 'mation so as to produce elongated locking fingers 30. The lockingmember, when inserted into the attaching member, is adapted, therefore, to be moved endwise in an inward direction until its fingers project across the slots 28, thus closingthe same and retaining the supporting strips 20 in place. When the locking member is moved in the opposite direction, the aforesaid fingers will be withdrawn into inoperative position, as will be understood, thereby opening the slots 28 and permitting the holder to be detached from strips'20. To facilitate its operation, the said locking member is furnished at one end with a suitable finger-piece or handle 31. In order to permit the insertion of the binding ,therebetween.

part or section, as will be seen from inspec tion of Fig. 7. The inner section 22 of the body member is provided with a series of studs 32, which are rigidly secured thereto and are provided with fiat heads 32, and these studs are designed to project through wedge-shaped slots 33 formed in. the 'outer section 22, and, also, through. openings 34 in the binding edges of the leaves 23. The alternating knuckles on the two sections of the'said body member are, of course, arranged in alinement to permit the pintle or hinge rod 28 to pass therethrough, and inasmuch as these knuckles are spaced'a slight distance apart, it will beapparent thatthe section 22 may be moved endwise in one direction, (toward the left in Fig. 7), relative to the other part or section 22", until the stud heads 52f are opposite the enlarged pore tions of the'slots 33. Thesection 22 then be swung away from the section 22 upon the hinge rod as a pivot, after which the studs may be passed through the leaf openings 34:. The section was next swung back upon the .leaves and the studs thus caused to project through tlielar ge portions of said slots, and, finally, said section is shifted endwise toward the right, to bring the stud heads intoengagement with the narrow portions of the slots, thus locking the two sections together and the leaves inplace The section 22 is preferably corrugated longitudinally, as indicated by the numeral 35 in Figs. 7 and 9, to prevent the stud heads from projecting beyond the plane of said section. V

From the foregoing, it will'be understood that the construction of the holder 'issuch as to enable a group of leaves or pages to be readily and quickly inserted therein and fixed in place owing to the two-part forma-- tion of the body member and the ability of one of these parts orsections to move both pivotally and endwise relative tothe other which are designed for 3 section; the body member itself to'beswung f in either direction relative to the attaching member, to permit it to lie approximately flat; and the holder, as a whole, to be readily and quickly attached to and detached from the supporting strips 20, owing to the pro:

vision of the sliding locking member.

While the preferred form of holder is that above described, a holder possessing sub.- stantially the same advantages and having the same main elements may be constructed as illustrated in Fig. 10. 'This holder, desig nated, generally, by the reference letter'E=,

has its body member 22 made in two parts or sections, and the outer section movable relatively to the inner section, as in the first construction, but the latter section is formed integral with the corresponding walloii' the attaching member 24' instead of being separate therefrom. Also, the knuckles 26 are formed only on the said outer section of the body member and the knuckles 27 on the outer wall of the attaching member, so that the rod 28 serves only as the pivot upon which the outer section of the body member is swung during the fastening of the leaves inthe holder. The locking member 25 is substantially identical with the corresponding element in the preferred construction.

I claim as my invention 1. In a loose-leafbinder, the combination, with connected back and cover elements; of a plurality of transversely-arranged spring metal'strips connectedat opposite ends to said covers for holding the same in substantially fiat position when the binder is opened.

2. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with connected back and cover elements; of a plurality of transversely-arranged spring metal strips detachably connected at opposite ends to said covers for holding the same in substantially flat position when the binder is opened.

8. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with connected back and cover elements, each cover having a transversely-arranged sheath embedded in it; of a plurality of spring metal. strips having their opposite ends removably fitted in said sheaths, for holding said covers in substantially fiat position when the binder is opened.

4. In a loose-leaf hinder, the combination, with connected back and cover'elements; of a plurality of transversely-arranged spring metal strips connected at opposite ends to said covers for holding the same in substantially flat position when the binder is opened; and a plurality of holders detachably connected to said strips, each of said holders being adapted to receive the binding edges of an individual group of leaves.

5. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual group of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising each, connected body and attaching members and a locking member associated with the latter member.

6. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual group of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members and a locking member slidably fitted in the latter member.

7. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination,

with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual group of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members and locking means associated with the second-named member, the first-named member consisting of a pair of separate sections one of which is movable relatively to the other.

8. In a loose-leaf hinder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual group of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising each connected body and attaching members and locking means associated with the second-named member,

the first-named member consisting of a pair of separate sections one of which is movable pivotally and endwise relatively to the other.

9. In a loose-leaf hinder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual group of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising, each, hingedly-connected body and attaching members and locking means associated with the latter member.

'10. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual group of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising, each, hingedly-corr nected body and attaching members and a locking member slidably fitted in the latter member.

11. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual group of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members and locking means associated with the second-named member,

the first-named member consisting of a section provided with headed leaf-fastening studs and a second section movable endwise relatively to the first section and having wedge-shaped slots through which said studs project. 7

12. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a series of holders each adapted to contain an individual grou of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members and locking means associated with the second-named member, the first-named member consistin of a section provided with headed lea -iastening studs and a second section movable endwise and pivotally relatively to the first sectipn and having wedge-shaped slot-s through which said'studs project. i

13. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a plurality of holders adapted to receive individual'groups of leaves removabl y connected to said devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members, the latter of which isprovided with slots for the reception of said devices, and a movable locking member associated with said attaching member and having means for closing said slots to retain said devices therein.

In a looseleaf binder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a plurality of holders adapted to receive individual groups of leaves removably connected tosaid devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members, the latter of which is provided with slots for the reception of said devices, and amovable locking member associated with said attachin member and having retaining fingers ac apted to be brought into and out of position to close said slots during the movements of the locking member.

15. In a loose-leaf bmder, the combination, with the back and covers, and dev ces 7 connecting said covers; of a pluralityof holders adapted to receive individual groups of leaves removably connected to said devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members, the latter of which is provided with slots for the reception of said devices, and a locking member slidable endwise within said attaching member and having means for opening or closing said slots during its movements.

16. In a. loose-leaf hinder, the combination, with the back and covers, and devices connecting said covers; of a plurality of holders adapted to receive individual groups of leaves removably connected to sald devices and comprising, each, connected body and attaching members, the latter of Which is provided with slots for the reception of said devices, and a locking member slidable endwise within said attaching member and having longitudinal retaining fingers adapttobe brought into position to extend across said slots for closing the same.

17. In a loose-leaf hinder, the combina-v tion, with the back andcovers, and spring strips connected at opposite ends to said covers for holding'the same approximately iiat when the binder is'opened; of a plurality of holders adapted each to receive an inclividual group of-leaves removablfy connected to said strips.

18.' In a loose-leaf binder, the combinatioi1,'with'the back and covers,'and spring strips connected at opposite ends t-o said covers for holding the same approXima-tely'flat when the binder is opened; of' a" plurality of holders adapted each t o receive an individual group of leaves embodying,each, connected body and attaching members, the latter of which is adapted for engagement with said strips, and means associated with said attaching member for releasably retaining the same in such engagement w 19.' In a loose-leafbinder, the combination, with the back and covers, and spring strips connected at opposite endsto said cov I ers for holding the same approximately flat when the binder isopened; of a plurality of holders adapted each to receive an 'indi vidual group of leaves embodying, each, connected body and attaching members,the lat te f which is adapted'for engagement'rwith said strips, and a slidable locking member associated with said attaching member for relcasably retaining the same in such engagement.

20. In a loose-leaf hinder, the combination, with the back and covers, and spring In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- IIGSSGS.

l/Vitnesses r r V Gno. M. MGNEIL,

B. Patron. 1 1

Washington, D. G.

HARRY c. csoznia. f

five eents'each, by addressing the qom nissioner of Patents I i 

